Elaine's shoes

I had the incredible privilege and challenge of creating full size bronze running shoes in honour of a very brave young nurse who lost her life to cancer. Before Elaine died, she and her husband decided they would like to have a pair of her running shoes cast in bronze for each of their two young children, and a third pair for the community they came to love.  

This was the most technically and emotionally challenging project I have ever attempted and was really hoping I'd be able to fulfill their wishes for the sculpture.  I'm grateful for the outcome and particularly thrilled that the foundry took such great care with the project, understanding the reason the shoes were created!

Labyrinth under ice!

Since the floods in summer of 2013, Dutch Creek has meandered closer to our home and the labyrinth on the river plain 30 feet below us. The ice has gradually built up over the labyrinth, with only a small portion of the largest center stone visible.  Perhaps another transformation in the spring? 

Hopefully the stones, and visitors to the labyrinth will return!

Museum presentation

I was delighted with an invitation from the Windermere Valley Museum, to share the bronze-casting process and the creation of the bronze portrait of Jim Ashworth. It was an honour to have Jim sit for me and I'm very grateful to the museum Board for suggesting Jim as a subject!  

For me, Jim embodies the giving spirit of this wonderful valley.  He grew up in the Invermere area, was a pilot in WWII, had a lengthy and distinguished career in the RCAF, and continues to be a role model for us all.  

One day when he was sitting for me, we were looking out my studio window at the Hoodoos which are so inspirational for me and he quietly mentioned that he had donated the land on which they sat to the Nature Conservancy of Canada!  

He is very fit at 94, having just this year giving up curling from the hack!

It was an honour to have Jim in the audience for my presentation to the Museum.

Thanks to Karen Brown for the photo!

Determined labyrinth walkers

Beautiful sunny day to walk the labyrinth in your bare feet!   It was fun to watch this young couple be undeterred by the labyrinth being partially under water!  They've even offered to return with their children to assist in the restoration of the labyrinth!  WE live in a wonderful community.